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Is Premium Gas Worth it? When You Should - and Shouldn't - Pay More at the Pump

Is Premium Gas Worth it? When You Should - and Shouldn't - Pay More at the Pump

Car Connection Workshop Jan 19, 2026 52 min
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About this episode

Exploring the value of premium gasoline, this episode dives into when it's worth the extra cost and when it isn't. The host shares personal experiences and insights on fuel efficiency, engine performance, and the implications of using regular versus premium fuel. Listeners will learn about the importance of octane ratings, the impact of ethanol on fuel quality, and tips for maintaining vehicle longevity. With a mix of humor and practical advice, this episode aims to empower drivers to make informed choices at the pump.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Company

Turtle Wax

"...my favorite wax at the time it still is today Turtle Wax but you know this was new paint..."

Turtle Wax is a brand that makes products to help keep cars looking nice, like wax that makes the paint shiny and protects it.

Term

base coat clear coat paint

"...first time I'd ever really paid attention to base coat clear coat paint and you got to treat it..."

Base coat clear coat paint is a way cars are painted using two layers. The first layer gives the car its color, and the second layer makes it shiny and protects it from scratches and weather.

Term

premium gas

"...is premium gas worth it is it hmm we're gonna unpack that in just a couple of moments..."

Premium gas is a type of fuel that has a higher octane level than regular gas. Some cars need this type of fuel to run smoothly and avoid engine problems.

Term

regular gas

"...so we're gonna talk about fuel regular this morning I'm having super..."

Regular gas is the standard type of fuel that most cars use. It has a lower octane level than premium gas and is usually cheaper.

Term

fuel filters

"...you'll have to go way back into the probably the first 50 videos to find the video I did on fuel filters and I actually show you what comes out of a fuel filter..."

Fuel filters are parts in cars that clean the fuel before it goes to the engine. They help keep the engine running well by stopping dirt and other bad stuff from getting in.

Part

fuel pump

"...the fuel pump gave out and I'm just saying his little deja vu..."

The fuel pump is what sends gas from the tank to the engine. If it stops working, the car won't run because it can't get any fuel.

Car

Toyota Fj

"...wo months after we purchased it privately the 07 Toyota FJ cruiser the fuel pump gave out and I'm just sayin..."

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a tough-looking SUV that people like to take off-road. It has a unique style and is built for adventure, but some owners have reported problems with the fuel pump after buying it.

Term

positive terminal

"...the positive terminal had blown right up something went awry..."

The positive terminal is where the battery connects to the car's electrical system to provide power. If it gets damaged, it can cause problems with starting the car.

Car

Honda Civic

"...I don't think we'll make it to 400 on the 99 Honda Civic the rocket as I I kept it off the road this winter because"

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people use because it's reliable and saves on gas. The 1999 model is known for being a good choice for drivers.

Term

premium fuel

"...if it doesn't have that tag inside the fuel fill door that says premium fuel required that's not just a suggestion..."

Premium fuel is a special type of gasoline that some cars need to run properly. It helps the engine perform better and prevents problems like knocking sounds when driving.

Term

BTU

"...regular fuel has less BTU's brittle British thermal units and I'm not going to say that too many times..."

BTU is a way to measure how much energy is in fuel. It tells us how much power the fuel can produce when burned.

Term

high test fuel

"this automatically they take high test fuel period put your regular fuel in there and you're killing it so a lot of you probably are with like your VW's"

High test fuel is a type of gasoline that has a higher quality than regular fuel. It's important for some cars, especially luxury ones, to run smoothly and avoid engine problems.

Brand

Audi

"like your VW's your Audi's you buy you buy you have to say this I have to say this champagne"

Audi is a luxury car brand from Germany that makes high-end vehicles. They are known for their stylish designs and advanced technology features.

Brand

Volkswagen

"like your VW's your Audi's you buy you buy you have to say this I have to say this champagne"

Volkswagen is a car company from Germany that makes many popular cars like the Golf and the Jetta. They are known for their good engineering and reliability.

Brand

Saab

"or I'm driving a Volkswagen or a sob whatever it is well"

Saab was a car company from Sweden that made unique and interesting cars. They are no longer in business, but many people still like their cars for their special features.

Term

European car tech

"you can't take your European car to Joe Schmoll who just fixes you know Chevy Chrysler Ford domestics you need a European car tech"

European car tech means the special skills needed to fix cars made in Europe. These cars often need different parts and care than regular American cars.

Term

parts back on it from the factory

"you need to put the parts back on it that came off it from the factory there's no dicing and slicing and universal"

Putting parts back on from the factory means using the same parts that were originally made for the car. This helps the car work as it should.

Term

high-performance motor

"you're killing that high tech high performance motor that's in that vehicle requiring premium..."

A high-performance motor is a type of engine designed to be faster and more powerful than regular engines. It often needs special care and fuel to work well.

Car

Volkswagen Beetle

"so I have Volkswagen we have a couple of Beatles we bring out to car..."

The Volkswagen Beetle is a small, unique-looking car that many people recognize. It has been popular for many years and is known for its fun design.

Term

octane

"...regular fuel low octane small kaboom it's more like a pop and it's dirty it's the dregs that's what I call it the dregs so you get up to premium now you got the big kaboom..."

Octane is a number that tells you how well a fuel can handle being compressed in an engine without causing problems. Higher numbers mean better performance for some cars.

Term

ethanol

"...the pump says on premium may contain up to 10% ethanol well ethanol's lousy and we'll do a program on that..."

Ethanol is a substance made from plants that is mixed with gasoline to help the environment. But it doesn't provide as much power as regular gasoline, which means you might need more of it to go the same distance.

Term

fuel mileage

"but your premium gives you the good stuff not the tainted stuff will give you a lot more fuel mileage a clean running engine"

Fuel mileage tells you how far a car can go on a certain amount of gas. Higher numbers mean the car is using gas more efficiently.

Term

carbon particles

"everybody's all gaga about carbon don't get me started on that because I'll need a valium to bring me down it's not that's just not true ask a farmer what"

Carbon particles are tiny bits of carbon that come from burning fuel in engines. Too many of them can be bad for the environment.

Term

fuel injectors

"...we have intake manifolds where the fuel injectors are housed in they're made of composite plastic..."

Fuel injectors are parts of a car engine that spray fuel into the engine so it can burn and create power. If the fuel is not right, it can cause problems with these parts.

Term

composite plastic

"...they're made of composite plastic and it was Corolla that had serious problem with that..."

Composite plastic is a strong and lightweight material used to make some car parts. It can be damaged by certain fuels, like those containing ethanol, which can eat away at it.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"...d in they're made of composite plastic and it was Corolla that had serious problem with that the ethanol b..."

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people buy because it's dependable and doesn't use a lot of gas. It's popular all over the world, and sometimes people talk about problems it has, like issues with the materials it’s made from.

Term

fuel economy

"high test I just take it because I know I will get my fuel economy to pay for that what I'm gonna gain in fuel economy performance and longevity on my engine"

Fuel economy is how far a car can go on a certain amount of gas. Better fuel economy means you spend less money on fuel because your car uses it more efficiently.

Term

rust proofing

"I'm gonna make sure I look after the rust proofing so the body and the structure stays solid and the rest"

Rust proofing is a way to protect your car from rust, which can happen when metal gets wet. It helps keep your car looking good and working well for a longer time.

Car

Dodge Grand Dodge

"...we spy this one grand Dodge Grand Caravan was black it was loaded it was clean as a whip inside and outside there wasn't a rust barnacle anywhere..."

The Dodge Grand Caravan is a type of minivan that many families use. It's known for having a lot of space inside and being good for carrying kids and their stuff.

Term

transmission

"...the transmission was apart so somebody had been in there carving out components and harvesting..."

The transmission helps your car change gears so it can go faster or slower. It's an important part that makes sure the engine and wheels work together properly.

5 cars featured

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